Ellen Sullivan

Ellen Sullivan
Ellen Sullivan was born in Spartanburg, SC, on a crisp November morning to Henry Grady and Hester Culbertson. She received her degree in Organ from Furman University and later a master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.
On June 24, 1956, she married the love of her life, Jerry Sullivan. While in the Air Force, Jerry flew a mission to Antarctica where he had the opportunity to name a mountain for Ellen. The couple enjoyed scuba diving, traveling, and taking long walks together. Throughout their travels, they made, maintained, and treasured many friendships.
After serving in the military for 20 years, the family retired to Jerry’s hometown of Tylertown. They spent years remodeling the old Sylverstein home and later spent many hours sharing their beautiful home with family and friends.
During her life in Tylertown, Ellen served as interim choir director and pianist at Tylertown Baptist Church and as music director at Tylertown United Methodist Church. She found great joy in planning, preparing, and playing for weekly Sunday services, as well as countless Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas programs.
Ellen was a voracious reader and became Walthall County’s librarian and later the
Assistant Director of Pike, Amite, Walthall Library System, where she shared her love for books with her community. At the Tylertown Library, she, and Jerry contributed their musical skills at the annual dinner theater.
For most of Ellen’s life, she has been a devoted pet owner. Her loyal and constant canine companion, Wesley, will miss her deeply.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brothers, Lewis, Tab, Grady, Bill, and Bob Culbertson. She is survived by her daughters, Renee Whiteside (Tom), Lynn Barnes (Paul), and Lee Ellen McDonald (John); granddaughter Jessi Hutson (Josh); sisters in law, Tricia Culbertson, Frances Culbertson, Janet Smith, Ellen May, and Anne Brawley.
Hartman Hughes Capps Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook may be signed at www.hartmanhughesfuneralhome.com